81R5366 MG-D
By: Kuempel H.R. No. 227
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For the past 35 years Camp Okawehna has provided a
memorable summer camp experience to countless children who are
facing chronic kidney disease; and
WHEREAS, More than 7,000 children have been diagnosed with
chronic kidney disease in the United States since 1994, and
approximately half of these children require dialysis or kidney
transplants as the illness progresses; Dialysis Clinic, Inc., a
nonprofit organization that operates facilities throughout the
country, established Camp Okawehna in 1974 as a summer camp for
children with this serious condition; and
WHEREAS, This full-service camp is held annually during the
first full week of June at the Cedar Crest Campground near
Nashville, Tennessee; Camp Okawehna features onsite medical
facilities and is open to children ages 6 to 18 who have kidney
disease, as well as those who have had transplants or are undergoing
dialysis therapy; although at least 90 percent of these young
patients are able to participate fully in sports and other physical
activities, they often maintain rigid daily schedules, and Camp
Okawehna offers them a welcome respite in a fun-filled atmosphere;
and
WHEREAS, Campers spend their time playing basketball or
soccer, swimming, canoeing, or engaging in ropes courses and
scavenger hunts; the children also enjoy arts and crafts projects,
dances, and bonfires, and they can relax in the company of others
who have had similar experiences with chronic kidney disease; what
began with 15 campers in its first year has grown to accommodate
more than 110 children from all over the country, along with 80
staff volunteers; and
WHEREAS, The cost of attending Camp Okawehna is largely
underwritten by Dialysis Clinic, Inc.; this notable organization
also administers the treatment of children from the Lone Star State
at its Austin facility, the Children's Dialysis Clinic of Central
Texas, and in 2009, DCI is hosting the following young Texans at
Camp Okawehna: Austin Booth, Avonna James, Aaron Stevenson, Sandra
Rodriguez, Oscar Rangel, Mitchell Vanderwoude, Max Schultz, Isaac
Botello, Romeena Momin, and Lonnie Wren; and
WHEREAS, Camp Okawehna has demonstrated an unwavering
commitment to children with chronic kidney disease, and its campers
have benefited in myriad ways from this noteworthy institution;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Camp Okawehna for its invaluable service
to children coping with chronic kidney disease and extend to all
those associated with the camp sincere best wishes for continued
success with this worthy endeavor; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Camp Okawehna as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.